Granular spreader

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing chemical material, and in particular, granular, agricultural material, from a moving device driven over terrain to be treated with the material. A metering system for dispersing the material includes on apertured metering disk positioned above a rotatable impeller. The apertured disk meters material from a product container, by gravity feed, onto the impeller below at a rate proportional to the linear speed at which the apparatus is driven to dispense material at a uniform density over the terrain. The metering disk is a component of a product container which is removably mounted to the device. The impeller rotates at a constant speed to disperse the deposited material at a uniform distance from the apparatus, and the position on which the material is deposited on the impeller is adjustable. A clutch permits the user to discontinue dispensing material from the device at the selection of the user, and automatically discontinues dispensing of material when the apparatus is driven in a reverse direction. Switches are provided for selectively adjusting the speed of rotation of the impeller, and the pattern at which material is propelled from the impeller. An override clutch permits the impeller to rotate after movement of the apparatus ceases, and a clutch housing is provided to reduce noise during operation of the apparatus.

This is a divisional of copending application(s) U.S. Ser. No.09/440,603 filed on Nov. 15, 1999, which is a continuation-in-partapplication of Ser. No. 09/189,555 filed Nov. 11, 1998, which claims thebenefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.60/067,464 filed Dec. 4, 1997, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus fordispersing material, particularly granular chemical material. Theinvention is particularly adapted for dispensing agricultural treatmentmaterial, such as pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizerfrom an apparatus driven over the terrain onto which the treatmentmaterials are to be applied.

Agricultural dispensing apparatus, more commonly known as granularspreaders, generally include a wheeled vehicle, either self-powered(e.g., motorized) or manually driven, including a housing having ahopper for receiving a container holding the product to be dispersed,and metering means for controlling the quantity of material flowing fromthe product container, by gravity feed, and onto dispersing means, suchas a rotating plate, positioned beneath the metering means for receivingmaterial deposited thereon. The apparatus is driven along terrain to betreated, and the material to be applied to the terrain is dispersed fromthe moving apparatus by the rotational forces applied by the rotatingplate.

Known agricultural spreaders exhibit disadvantages which include:variations in the rotational speed of the dispersing plate (and therebyvariations in the distance which material is propelled from thespreader) in proportion to changes in the linear speed of the spreader;imprecise metering of material deposited on the disperser plate from theproduct container during repeated dispersing operations; the inabilityto control the angular orientation at which material is dispersed fromthe spreader; and the inability to automatically disengage the meteringmeans from the disperser plate to prevent material from being depositedon the disperser plate when the spreader is moved in a reversedirection.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improvedspreader, particularly for dispensing granular agricultural materialsonto terrain over which the spreader is driven, which overcomes theaforementioned disadvantages, and others, encountered in the operationof known dispersing apparatus. Other objects and advantages of themethods and apparatus in accordance with the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of the invention inconjunction with the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for dispensingmaterial, and in particular granular agricultural treatment material,from a moving disperser device. The device includes a housing, at leasta pair of wheels mounted to the housing for driving the housing over theground, and a handle by which the device can be driven. The vehicle maybe either self-powered or manually driven, and includes a housing havinga hopper for removably receiving a product container with the materialto be dispersed. Metering means are provided to control the flow ofmaterial, by gravity feed, from the hopper and onto a spinning impellertherebelow for propelling the material from the moving apparatus. Themetering means includes an apertured disk defining a plurality ofconcentric rows of vertical channels, each of the vertical channelshaving opened upper and lower ends. A discharge plate defining at leastone opening thereon is mounted below the metering disk, and isoperatively associated with the metering disk such that rotationalmovement of the metering disk relative to the discharge plateselectively covers and uncovers the openings in the lower ends ofselected vertical channels in the metering disk. When the lower openingsof the channels are uncovered, material in the channels is permitted toflow through the opening in the discharge plate, by gravity feed, to bedeposited onto a rotatable impeller therebelow. A charging plate havingat least one opening is mounted above the top of the metering disk suchthat rotational movement of the metering disk relative to the chargingplate uncovers the upper ends of selected vertical channels in themetering disk. In this relative position, material from the hopperflows, by gravity feed, through the opened portion of the charging plateto fill each of the selected uncovered vertical channels in the meteringdisk to its maximum volume. During the filling procedure, the dischargeplate beneath the metering disk covers the lower ends of the verticalchannels being filled to prevent the material from dropping through thechannels. When the channels are filled to full capacity, the meteringdisk is rotated such that the charging plate covers the top openings ineach filled vertical channel to sweep excess material therefrom and toprevent further material from being deposited therein. The dischargeplate beneath the metering disk is oriented relative to the chargingplate so that when the metering disk rotates relative to the chargingplate to cover the upper ends of the filled channels, the metering disksimultaneously rotates relative to the discharge plate to uncover thelower ends of the vertical channels to permit the material in the filledchannels to drop downwardly, by gravity feed, onto the rotatabledispersing impeller therebelow. In this manner, a uniform, repeatablequantity of material, corresponding to the volume of the filled verticalchannels defined in the metering plate, is sequentially deposited on thedispersing impeller during each filling and metering operation. A drivetrain couples the metering disk to a wheel of the spreader for impartingrotational movement to the metering disk so that material is metered ata rate corresponding to the linear speed of the spreader and isdispensed in uniform density over the terrain travelled by the spreader.

A selector plate is mounted beneath the discharge plate (which itself ismounted beneath the metering disk) for selectively blocking the loweropenings of predetermined vertical channels in the metering disk forcontrolling the position on which material is deposited from themetering disk onto the rotatable impeller therebelow. The position atwhich material is deposited on the impeller is a parameter which affectsthe range or distance that the material deposited thereon is propelledas a result of applied rotational forces. The selector plate maintainsthe openings in the lower ends of predetermined vertical channelscovered without regard to the position of the metering disk relative tothe discharge plate, thereby effectively overriding the discharge platewhen metering disk is rotated over an opened portion of the dischargeplate to uncover the lower openings in the predetermined verticalchannels. The selector plate also provides means for selectivelyblocking different overall sections of the metering disk to adjust theangular orientation at which material is propelled from the movingspreader by the rotatable impeller.

At least one wheel of the spreader is coupled to the impeller to impartrotational movement to the impeller as the spreader is driven over theterrain to be treated, and means are provided for maintaining the actualrotational speed of the rotatable disperser impeller constant andindependent of the linear speed of the spreader. In this manner, thedistance or range which material deposited on the rotating impeller ispropelled, which is proportional to the rotational speed of theimpeller, is maintained at a constant value which is selectivelyadjustable by adjusting the rotational speed of the impeller. In thepreferred embodiments of the invention, the means for maintaining therotational speed of the impeller at a constant value includes aplurality of weights which are movable in guide elements, by inertialforces, relative to the center of the impeller for opposing appliedforces to the impeller tending to increase or decrease the rotationalspeed thereof.

The spreader, in its preferred embodiments, includes a clutch system andassociated drive train coupled to one wheel of the spreader forautomatically disengaging the meter assembly to prevent material frombeing deposited on the rotatable impeller when the spreader is moved ina predetermined direction (i.e., in reverse).

The present invention also provides an improved product container forremovably mounting onto the hopper of the spreader. The lower portion ofthe container defines a compartment for accommodating a meter housingincluding the meter assembly discussed above. In the preferredembodiments of the invention, the container includes a transparentplastic product bag received within a container housing, and a clearsection on the container housing to permit visual observation of thecontents within the product bag. Because the meter housing and theremovable product container are formed as a single unit which isremovably mounted to the spreader, the meter assembly can be pre-set tothe desired quantity of material to be metered, the desired rate atwhich material is to be metered, and the desired position at whichmaterial is to be deposited on the dispersing impeller, before theproduct container is mounted to the spreader.

In a further embodiment of the spreader apparatus and product containerin accordance the present invention, the spreader includes overrideclutch means which permit a rotatable impeller to continue to rotateafter movement of the apparatus has ceased for dispersing any materialremaining on the impeller after the spreader has come to a halt. In thismanner, excess residual product deposited on the impeller will not bedispersed from the impeller when the spreader apparatus resumes travelalong the terrain to be treated and the impeller resumes rotation.

The spreader apparatus also includes a selector switch readilyaccessible to an operator for selectively adjusting the rotational speedof the impeller between two or more different pre-selected speeds foradjusting the distance or range which material is propelled from therotating impeller. An on/off switch for disengaging a drive traincoupling the wheels of the spreader to the impeller is operativelyassociated with the selector switch to assure that the rotational speedof the impeller can not be changed unless the drive train to theimpeller is disengaged.

The spreader apparatus also includes a further switch readily accessibleto the operator for controlling the area of terrain relative to thespreader apparatus on which material from the apparatus will bedispersed from the rotatable impeller. This switch enables the operatorto selectively control the pattern of distribution of material from theimpeller plate in a direction predominantly forward of the apparatus, ina direction predominantly to the left side of the apparatus, in adirection predominantly to the right side of the apparatus, in adirection to the rear of the apparatus, or equally distributed to theleft and right sides of the apparatus, as may be required by thespecific application being made by the spreader apparatus as it movesalong the terrain to be treated. The switch also includes an “off”position in which no material is distributed. Visual indicia provide theoperator with illustrations of the specific mode of operationcorresponding to each of the different switch positions.

The spreader apparatus also includes means for enabling the operator toreadily align and engage drive shafts in a meter assembly carried by aproduct container and in the spreader apparatus to permit material to bemetered from the product container and dispersed by the spreader as thespreader is moved along terrain to be treated. The spreader apparatusalso includes guide elements for assuring that the selector plate whichcontrols the distribution pattern of material dispersed from thespreader apparatus is maintained in proper position relative to themetering disk of the spreader apparatus to assure that the properquantities of material are metered and deposited on the proper positionson the rotatable impeller.

The spreader apparatus also includes beveled edges on a clutchcompartment enclosing a clutch forming part of the drive train betweenthe wheels of the spreader and the rotatable impeller. The beveled edgesof the clutch compartment enclose the clutch and tend to muffle anddeflect sound waves generated by the clutch in a direction towards theinner surface of the spreader wheels to result in quieter operation ofthe spreader apparatus as it moves along the terrain to be treated.

The spreader apparatus also includes a drive train coupling the wheelsof the spreader to the rotatable impeller having a drive belt withevenly spaced sprocket openings which are engaged by drive pins in acapstan to provide a more positive driving force than provided by O-ringbelt designs.

The spreader apparatus also includes hinged flaps which are selectivelymovable between extended and retracted positions, respectively. Theflaps are removably retained in either extended or retracted positionsby retaining means which include complementary magnets mounted to thespreader apparatus and the flaps. The flaps are mounted to the left andright sides of the spreader apparatus and are provided to preventproduct from drifting into undesired areas when an edge application ofmaterial is required during a treatment process.

In a further embodiment of a product container in accordance with thepresent invention, the product container can be formed from a moldedplastic material so as to be re-usable during different treatmentoperations of the spreader apparatus. The container can be designed toinclude a lower rolling lip structure to be removably received in aflange of a meter assembly for readily connecting and disconnecting themeter assembly from the container. The container and the meter assemblyinclude cooperating structure by which the meter assembly is maintainedin a fixed position relative to the container when the meter assemblyand container are coupled to each other.

The container also includes a domed or spherical partition mountedproximate to the bottom of the container f or preventing the full weightof product in the container from being applied directly to the meterassembly carried by the bottom of the product container. This partitionsupports the weight of all product in the container positionedthereabove. The partition also includes at least one slot or aperturefor controlling the downward flow of material from above the partitionand onto the meter assembly positioned below the partition. Thepartition rotates together with the meter disk and tends to break uplumps of material into smaller granules as the material flows downwardlyby gravity feed through the opening in the rotating partition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a side elevational view of a dispensingapparatus in accordance with the present invention, and a productcontainer mounted to the apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view, in section, of the product containerof FIG. 1 removed from the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, in section, of the product containerillustrated by FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the product container, as illustratedby FIGS. 2 and 3, and a cover sealing the bottom of the container;

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of the lower right end portion of thecontainer illustrated by FIG. 2 showing, in detail, the manner in whichcomponents of the meter assembly are mounted to a meter housingproximate to the bottom end of the product container;

FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom plan view of the product containerillustrated by FIGS. 2-5 with the meter assembly in a closed position,and FIG. 6B illustrates a bottom plan view of the product container withthe meter assembly in a partially opened position;

FIG. 7A is a top plan view of a metering disk of the meter assembly ofthe present invention; FIG. 7B is a side elevational view, in section,of the metering disk illustrated by FIG. 7A; and FIG. 7C illustrates therelationship between the metering disk and a charging plate operativelyassociated therewith;

FIG. 8A illustrates a top plan view of a dispersing impeller inaccordance with the present invention, and FIG. 8B illustrates a sideelevational view, in section, of the dispersing impeller illustrated byFIG. 8A;

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate a one-way clutch system in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a front elevational view of a dispersing apparatus,in section, showing the clutch system of FIGS. 9A-9D coupled by a drivetrain to the meter assembly of the dispersing apparatus in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of adispensing apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view showing the bottom detail of thedispensing apparatus illustrated by FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view showing the top detail of thedispensing apparatus illustrated by FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the bottom detail of thedispensing apparatus illustrated by FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a rear elevational view of the top detail of the dispensingapparatus illustrated by FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of the bottom detail of thedispensing apparatus illustrated by FIG. 11;

FIG. 17 is a left side elevational view of the dispensing apparatusillustrated by FIG. 11;

FIG. 18 is a left side elevational view of the lower detail of thedispensing apparatus illustrated by FIG. 11;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the dispensing apparatus illustrated by FIG.11; and

FIGS. 20a and 20 b illustrate, respectively, a bottom plan view and afront elevational view in section of a container used in conjunctionwith the dispensing apparatus illustrated by FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of the dispensing apparatus in accordancewith the present invention, and in particular, an apparatus fordispersing granular chemical material such as pesticides, andherbicides. The apparatus is driven over terrain to be treated, and thetreatment material carried by the apparatus is applied to the terrain.The following discussion refers to the apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention as a “spreader” or an “agricultural spreader”.

The spreader in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention is designated generally by reference numeral 2. The majorcomponents of the spreader 2 include a hopper 4 provided for removablyreceiving a product container 6 holding the material to be dispersed bythe spreader. A housing sleeve 8 is provided to receive a meteringhousing, to be discussed in greater detail below, integrally defined atthe bottom of the product container 6. The product container andmetering assembly are therefore removably mounted to the hopper of thespreader as a single unit. An impeller assembly 10, including arotatable impeller, is disposed beneath the housing sleeve 8, and adrive belt 12 operatively associated with a wheel 14 is coupled to theimpeller assembly 10 for imparting rotational movement to the impeller,when the wheel 14 rotates as the spreader 2 is driven over the terraindesignated by reference numeral 16. (As will be described below, a drivesystem is also provided to impart rotational movement of the wheel to ametering disk rotatably mounted within the metering housing). A secondwheel, mounted on the opposite end of an axle on which the first wheel14 is mounted, is not shown in FIG. 1. The spreader also includes avertical supporting element 18 to reinforce the structural integrity ofthe assembled device, and a handle 20 by which the device is driven by auser. The spreader 2 can be manually driven or self-powered (e.g.,motorized). A lever 22 is mounted to the handle to permit the user todisengage the metering system to selectively prevent the application ofmaterial to the terrain by the spreader when the switch is in the offposition.

FIG. 2 of the drawing illustrates a front elevational view, in section,of the product container 6 shown in FIG. 1, removed from the spreaderapparatus. FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the product container 6illustrated by FIG. 2. The product container 6 is formed from threemajor components—a container housing 24 which can be formed from acorrugated cardboard material; a product bag 25 mounted inside thehousing 24; and a metering housing 26 integrally formed as a single unitwith the product container 6 and mounted to a pyramid shaped flange 28defined at the bottom of the housing 24. The top end 30 of the housing24 is formed from a conventional flap-type closure and the bottom end ofthe housing is formed from tapered edges 32 on flaps 34, and an arcuatesection 36 extending over the top of a portion of the meter housing 26.Cut-out sections 38, defined on opposed sides proximate to the top end30 of the housing 24, provide handles to enable a user to carry theproduct container 6 when it is removed from the hopper of the spreader.

Reference numerals 40 and 42 designate key shaped cut-out portionsdefined on a cylindrical part of the meter housing 26 and are providedfor locking mating keys 41 and 43 (defined on a charging plate which isa component of the meter assembly, to be discussed below) and matingkeys 44 and 46 (defined on a discharge plate which is another componentof the meter assembly, to be discussed below). In this manner, thecharging plate and discharge plate of the meter assembly are fixedly(non-rotatably) mounted to the metering housing. A rolled lip 50 of themetering housing receives therein a side edge of a component of themetering assembly (a discharge plate, discussed in greater detail below)to prevent components of the metering assembly from dropping through themetering housing, and a flange 52, defined by the side edge of anothercomponent of the metering assembly (a selector plate, to be discussed ingreater detail below) rides below the outer surface of the rolled lip 50of the metering housing to prevent the components within the meteringhousing from being displaced upwardly. Accordingly, the containerhousing 24 and the meter housing 26 each define cooperating structurefor maintaining the metering housing in a fixed position relative to thecontainer housing 24, and for maintaining selected components within themetering housing in a fixed orientation relative to each other. Thestructure and structural relationship for retaining the metering housingin the product container will be discussed in greater detail withreference to FIG. 5.

Still referring to FIG. 2, a drive bushing 54 joins the meteringassembly components within the metering housing through center axisopenings with a bushing flange 56, a square drive 58 carried on a driveshaft within the bushing which engages a square hole 60 defined in thecenter of a metering disk 70. The drive bushing 54 further extendsthrough a compression cup 62 and a thrust washer 64. A retaining pin,designated by reference numeral 66, is provided to maintain the meterassembly in its assembled state within the meter housing.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the meter assembly is defined by a pluralityof components contained within the meter housing 26. The components ofthe meter assembly include a charging plate 68, a metering disk 70having a top surface disposed beneath the charging plate, a dischargeplate 72 disposed beneath a lower surface of the metering disk, and aselector plate 74 disposed beneath the discharge plate. Each of thesecomponents contiguously abuts against adjacent components. As will bediscussed in greater detail herein, the components of the meter assemblyoperatively cooperate with each other to, among other things, controlthe quantity of material discharged from the spreader apparatus, controlthe range at which material is dispersed from the spreader, and controlthe angular orientation at which material is dispersed from thespreader. As will also be discussed herein, the meter assembly withinthe metering housing 26 is driven by the linear movement of the spreaderover the terrain to be treated, said movement being transferred to themeter assembly by a drive train of a transmission system coupling awheel of the spreader to the meter assembly when the product container 6is mounted in its operating position in the hopper 4 of the spreader 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the product container 24 and theproduct bag 25 shown in FIG. 2. The same reference numerals have beenused to designate corresponding components. Reference numeral 76illustrates strips of retainer tape which are applied to join togetherthe flaps 34 defining the lower, inwardly tapered, end of the productcontainer 24.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the product container 24 showingadditional features of the invention. An adhesive material is appliedbetween the top of the product bag 25 and the top of the product housing24 at a location designated by reference numeral 77 to maintain the bagin an extended position relative to the product housing even aftermaterial has been discharged from the bag. In this manner, the bag willnot drop onto the metering housing at the bottom of the productcontainer and interfere with the continued discharge of product when theupper portion of the product bag has become emptied as a result of thedischarge of product therefrom by gravity feed. A longitudinallyextending slot 78 is defined on one side of the housing 24, and the slotis sealed by two opposed strips of double sided transparent tape 80. Inthis manner, the quantity of product remaining in the clear bag 25inside the housing 24 can be easily determined by visual observation.The lower end of the product housing 24 is sealed by a cover 82 having aside portion 84. The cover is retained on the housing by a sealing tape86 which when removed, exposes the inwardly tapered flaps 34 of themeter housing 26 defined on the bottom of the product housing 24. Thecover 82 is provided to protect the meter housing and to prevent anyaccidental discharge of product from the product bag 25 through themeter assembly, before the product container is mounted in its operatingposition in the hopper of the spreader.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate, respectively, the product container 24 withits flaps 34 in a folded position when the cover 82 seals the bottom ofthe product container, and the product container 24 when the flaps 34expand outwardly and are restrained by the tape 76 when the cover 82 isremoved from the bottom of the product container 24 exposing the meterhousing 26. Keys 40 and 42 of the meter housing 26 (see FIG. 2) lockinto cut-outs 88 and 90 in the flaps 34 to prevent the meter housing 26from rotating relative to the product housing 24. When the cover 82 isremoved from the bottom of the product housing 24 by removing sealingtape 86 (see FIG. 4) to permit the tapered flaps 34 of the bottomportion of the product housing 24 to expand outwardly, an opening 92 isdefined between the inner surfaces of the flaps at the bottom portion ofthe product container 24. The meter housing 26 then slides through theopening 92 and is locked into its fixed, non-rotatable position relativeto the lower portion of product housing 24 (as shown in FIG. 2) by thecomplementary locking mating keys and cut-outs on the meter housing, theflaps of the product housing, and the components of the meter assembly,as discussed herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates, in detail, the lower side portion of the productcontainer of FIG. 2 showing the manner in which the meter housing 26 ismounted in its operational position to the lower (discharge) end of theproduct housing 24. As discussed with respect to FIG. 2, the lower edgeof the meter housing 26 is rolled inwardly to form a lip 50. Adownwardly sloped outer edge 48 of a discharge plate 72 is received inand supported by the rolled lip 50. An outwardly extending, horizontallyoriented edge 52 of a selector plate 74 is disposed beneath the rolledlip 50 to support the meter housing 26 and to prevent displacement ofthe components of the meter assembly upwardly into the meter housing.The selector plate 74 is itself supported by a bushing flange 56 of adrive bushing 54. In this manner, the meter housing 26 provides supportto, and is itself supported by, components of the meter assembly housedtherein.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the metering disk 70 generallyillustrated in FIG. 2, is shown in greater detail. FIG. 7A shows a topplan view of the metering disk 70 which defines a plurality ofconcentric rows of openings, spaced radially apart from the center ofthe disk which defines a square opening designated by reference numeral94. The square opening 94 corresponds to and is adapted to receive asquare drive carried by a drive shaft extending through the bushing 54(see FIG. 2) which is coupled to a wheel of the spreader by a drivetrain for imparting rotary movement to the metering disk as the spreaderis driven linearly over the terrain to be treated. The a concentric rowsof openings in the metering disk 70 are defined by openings 96 formingan innermost row, openings 98 forming an intermediate row, and openings100 forming an outermost row. As shown in FIG. 7A, the three concentricrows are not spaced equidistantly from each other in a radialorientation, and the size, number and configuration of the individualopenings forming each different row can differ from the openings formingthe other concentric rows. In the metering disk illustrated by FIG. 7A,the openings in each of the rows are spaced equidistantly apart fromadjacent openings in the same row, and the openings in each row are ofthe same configuration and dimension as each of the other openings inthe same row. The configuration, dimension, and spacing of theindividual openings and the different concentric rows, as well as thenumber of openings and rows in the metering disk 70, is variable.Accordingly, the specific configuration and orientation of the openingsand rows illustrated by FIG. 7A is not critical to the invention, andcan be varied from that shown. The specific parameters of the meteringdisk can be pre-set for the specific material being dispensed, since themeter assembly and product container comprise a single unit.

FIG. 7B is a sectional view of the metering disk 70 illustrated by FIG.7A. As more clearly seen, each of the openings 96, 98 and 100 arevertical channels defined between an upper surface of the metering diskdesignated by reference numeral 101, and a lower surface of the meteringdisk designated by reference numeral 103. The vertical length and volumedefined by each channel is variable, and decreases as the radialdistance from the center 94 of the metering disk increases. Referencenumeral 102 designates the lower openings defined of the channels 96 ofthe inner row; reference numeral 104 designates the lower openings ofthe channels 98 of the intermediate row; and reference numeral 106designates the lower openings of the channels 100 of the outer row.

FIG. 7C illustrates the charging plate 68, shown in FIG. 2, which isarranged above and contiguous with the top surface 101 of the meteringdisk 70. The charging plate 68 is fixedly mounted relative to therotatable metering disk 70 and includes an arcuate slot portion 108exposing different sections of the concentric rows of the opened tops ofthe vertical columns 96, 98 and 100 on the metering disk as the meteringdisk rotates relative to the fixed charging plate. In this manner,granular material is gravity fed from the product bag 25 (see FIG. 2)and through the opened slot portion 108 of the charging plate 68, tosequentially fill the uncovered vertical columns 96, 98 and 100 in themetering disk as the metering disk rotates relative to opened slotportion 108 of the fixed charging plate. After the uncovered columns 96,98 and 100 have been filled with granular material, any residualmaterial extending from the columns 96, 98 and 100 above the top surface101 of the metering disk is wiped away by the forward edge 110 of theslot 108 as the metering disk 70 rotates relative to the charging platein the direction designated by arrow 112. In this manner, each of theuncovered columns 96, 98 and 100 are filled to their maximum volume bythe granular material gravity fed from the product container. Fillingeach of the vertical columns in the metering disk to its full capacityassures that material will be sequentially metered in repeatable uniformquantities and dispersed from the spreader apparatus at uniform densityover the terrain to be treated.

Referring back to FIG. 2 (also see FIG. 5), a discharge plate 72, whichis configured to correspond to the shape of the lower surface 103 of themetering disk, is mounted contiguously below the lower surface of themetering disk. The discharge plate includes a cut-out section similar tothe cut-out portion defined in charging plate 68, discussed above. Thedischarge plate is fixedly mounted relative to the rotatable meteringdisk to selectively uncover the bottom openings 102, 104 and 106 of thevertical channels 96, 98 and 100 defined in the metering disk as thevertical channels rotate over the opened section of the discharge plate.The discharge plate, which is fixedly mounted relative to the rotatablemetering disk, is arranged relative to the charging plate, which is alsofixedly mounted relative to the rotatable metering disk, so the openedor cut-out sections of the discharge plate and charging plate are offsetrelative to each other. In this manner, when the tops of the verticalchannels defined in the metering disk are uncovered by the cut-outsection 108 in the charging plate 68 and granular material is gravityfed to fill these channels to their maximum capacity, the bottoms ofthese vertical channels are covered by the discharge plate to retain thematerial in the vertical channels until these channels are filled totheir maximum capacity. Thereafter, the metering disk rotates relativeto the fixedly mounted charging and discharge plates so that the tops ofthe filled channels are covered by the closed section of the chargingplate, and the bottoms of the filled channels are moved over the cut-outportion of the discharge plate to uncover the bottoms of the filledchannels to permit material to be discharged from the channels bygravity feed. The cooperating operating relationship between thecharging plate, the discharge plate and the rotatable metering diskassures that a repeatable uniform volume of metered material issequentially discharged through the metering assembly during operationof the spreader.

Although the preferred embodiments of the invention provide a meter diskrotatable relative to fixed charging and discharging plates, it is alsopossible to provide a metering system including a fixed metering diskwith charging and discharge plates rotatable relative to the meteringdisk. However, this alternative embodiment is less desirable in that itrequires two rotatable elements instead of one, thereby increasing therequired number of movable components.

Still referring to FIG. 2 (also see FIG. 5), a selector plate 74 isfixedly mounted beneath the lower surface of the discharge plate 72. Theselector plate defines opened portions corresponding to the positions ofpredetermined vertical columns in the metering disk, and defines closedportions which block or cover the bottoms of other predeterminedvertical columns in the metering disk. In this manner, rotation of themetering disk relative to the discharge plate, as discussed above, willnot uncover the lower openings in the vertical columns of the meteringdisk which are blocked by the selector plate. Essentially, the selectorplate overrides the discharge plate by blocking portions of the cut-outsection of the discharge plate through which material from columns inthe metering disk would otherwise be discharged. By selectively blockingcertain vertical columns of the metering disk, and by allowing materialto be discharged from other vertical columns of the metering diskthrough the discharge plate, the selector plate controls the position onwhich the discharged material is deposited, by gravity feed, onto arotatable disperser impeller of the spreader apparatus disposed beneaththe selector plate.

The position on which material from the metering disk is deposited onthe rotatable impeller controls the distance or range from which thematerial is propelled from the spreader by the spinning impeller. If theselector plate 74 is arranged to block discharge of material from theouter concentric row of columns 100 of the metering disk (See FIGS. 7Aand 7B), material will be deposited closer to the center of the spinningimpeller, thereby decreasing the range which the material is propelledfrom the impeller by applied rotational forces. On the contrary, if theinner concentric rows of columns 96 and/or 98 of the metering disk (SeeFIGS. 7A and 7B) are covered by the selector plate, material will bedeposited closer to the periphery of the spinning impeller, therebyincreasing the distance which the deposited material is propelled fromthe spinning impeller as a result of rotational forces applied thereon.Additionally, the selector plate can be arranged to block the dischargeof material from different sections of the metering disk to control theangular orientation relative to the spreader apparatus at which materialis propelled by the spinning impeller. Therefore, in accordance with thepreferred embodiments of the present invention, the selector plate 74cooperates with the metering disk and discharge plate to selectivelycontrol the distance and/or angular orientation at which material isdischarged from the spreader and applied to the terrain being treated.

As discussed with respect to FIG. 1, the spreader 2 includes an impellerassembly 10 disposed beneath the product container 6 and the meteringhousing defined at the bottom of the product container. The impellerassembly includes a rotatable impeller positioned to receive materialdischarged by gravity feed from the metering housing and deposited onthe upper surface of the impeller. The material deposited on therotating impeller is propelled from the impeller and discharged from thespreader as a result of rotational forces applied to the depositedmaterial. FIG. 1 generally illustrates a belt drive 12 whichmechanically couples a wheel 14 of the spreader to the impeller assembly10 to impart rotational motion to the impeller as the spreader moveslinearly along the terrain 16.

FIG. 8A illustrates the components of the impeller assembly whichinclude a rotatable impeller comprising a disk designated by referencenumeral 114 having a central hub portion designated by reference numeral116 which is rotatable about a central axis designated by referencenumeral 118. A drive belt 120 (which is part of the belt drive 12 ofFIG. 1) engages the outer periphery of the central hub 116 to impartrotational movement to the impeller 114. As the spreader 2 is movedalong the terrain 16 and the wheels 14 are rotated, rotational movementproportional to the linear speed of the spreader is imparted to the disk114 by the belt drive 12.

As discussed herein, the metering assembly of the product containerremovably received in the hopper of the spreader includes means forcontrolling the position on which material from the product container isdeposited, by gravity feed, onto the impeller. In this manner, the rangeor distance at which material is propelled by the impeller iscontrolled—the range increases as the material is deposited closer tothe periphery of the impeller, and the range decreases as material isdeposited closer to the center of the impeller. In addition to theposition at which material is deposited on the impeller, the rotationalspeed of the impeller is another parameter which affects the range ordistance at which material is propelled from the spreader—increasing therotational speed increases the distance material is propelled, anddecreasing the rotational speed decreases the distance at which materialis propelled from the spreader. In accordance with the preferredembodiments of the present invention, means are provided for maintainingthe rotational speed of the impeller 114 at a predetermined constantvalue independent of variations in the linear speed at which thespreader moves along the ground.

Referring back to FIGS. 8A and 8B, two opposed weights 122 are coupledto the central hub 116 of the impeller 114 by springs 124. The weights122 are movable in a radial direction away from the hub 116 against theresilient force applied by the springs 124, and are movable in a radialdirection towards the central hub 116 by the resilient force applied inthat direction by the springs 124. The weights 122 are movable ingrooves or guide elements 126 provided on the impeller. The weight andspring characteristics are selected to maintain the rotational speed ofthe impeller 114 at a preselected value. If, for example, the spreader 2is driven at a linear speed which would cause the impeller 114 to rotateabove the preselected rotational speed, the weights 122 move radiallyoutwardly towards the periphery of the impeller against the resilientforces of the springs 124, as a result of inertial forces applied on theweights, thereby decreasing the rotational speed of the impeller. On thecontrary, if the linear speed of the spreader imparts a rotational speedto the impeller 114 below the predetermined value, inertial forces causethe weights 122 to be displaced inwardly towards the central hub 116 atthe urging of the resilient forces applied by the springs 124, toincrease the rotational speed of the impeller to the predeterminedvalue. Accordingly, the weights 122 oscillate relative to the centralhub of the impeller to adjust and maintain the rotational speed of theimpeller 114 at a predetermined value which is independent of changes inthe linear speed of the spreader. The fixed predetermined rotationalspeed of the impeller is adjustable by varying the mass of the weight122, the resilient force exerted by the springs 124 on the weights 122,or both. Increasing the fixed rotational speed of the impeller willincrease the range at which material is propelled therefrom, anddecreasing the fixed rotational speed of the impeller will decrease therange at which material is propelled therefrom.

Although the rotational speed of the impeller 114 of the impellerassembly 10 of the spreader 2 is adjustably set at a constantpredetermined value to maintain a constant range at which material isimpelled from the spreader, the metering assembly in the meteringhousing 26 (as previously discussed herein with respect to FIGS. 2-7C),is coupled to one wheel of the spreader 2 so that material is metered inproportion to the linear speed at which the spreader 2 is moved alongthe ground 16 (See FIG. 1). A transmission system coupled to a wheel 14of the spreader imparts rotational movement to the metering disk 70 indirect proportion to the linear speed of the spreader 2. In this manner,the rate at which material is metered through the metering disk anddeposited onto the impeller is proportional to the linear speed of thespreader so that the density of material dispersed over the terraintravelled by the spreader remains constant. In the preferred embodimentsof the invention, the rotational movement of the wheel 14 is imparted tothe metering assembly 26 in the product container 6 (See FIG. 1) by atransmission system including a rotatable drive shaft extending throughthe drive bushing 54 of the metering housing 26 (See FIG. 2), and asquare drive carried by the drive shaft and received in the squarecentral opening of the rotatable metering disk.

Therefore, the spreader in accordance with the present invention, asdiscussed herein, includes both means for dispersing material at auniform density over the terrain to be treated, and means formaintaining a constant range at which the material is dispersed by thespreader independent of the linear speed at which the spreader movesalong the terrain being treated. Both the metering means and thedispersing means are driven by the linear movement of the spreader alongthe terrain to be treated.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrate the transmission system for the spreader 2, and inparticular a one way spring clutch, in accordance with the preferredembodiments of the present invention. Referring first to FIGS. 9A-9D, awheel 132 having an outer surface 134 (corresponding to wheel 14generally illustrated by FIG. 1), has a drive plate 128 fixedly mountedto a central rim 130 by screws 136. The drive plate 128 defines aplurality of saw teeth 138 arranged in a circular row. The drive plate128 also defines a center axis 140 and a bushing 142 for receiving abearing shaft 144 extending from a hub 146 of a driven plate 148. A pin154 secures the shaft 144 to the hub 146 so that the shaft 144 rotatestogether with the driven plate 148. The driven plate 148 defines aspring plate 150 on the forward surface thereof, and a plurality ofspring tabs 164 extend outwardly from the plate 150. Shaft 144 isreceived in the bushing 142 of the drive plate 128, and is securedthereto by a rib 158 defined on an end cap 160 which is received in agroove 156 of the shaft 144 after the shaft extends through the centeraxis 140 of the drive plate 128. The end plate 160 is further secured tothe remote end of the shaft 156 extending through the center axis 140 bya screw 162 received through aligned openings in the rib 158 on the endcap 160 and in the slot 156 of the remote end of the shaft 144. Becausethe drive plate 128 is fixedly mounted to the rim 130 of the wheel 132by screws 136, the drive plate is rotatable together with the wheel.

As more clearly seen in FIG. 9C, the saw teeth 138 defined on the driveplate 128 each include a sloped portion designated by reference numeral166 and a perpendicular end portion designated by reference numeral 168.The free forward ends of the spring tabs 164, extending from the springplate 150, are engaged by the saw teeth 138 when the driven plate 148 ismounted to the drive plate 128 such that the spring plate 150 is incontinguous engagement against the drive plate 128. When the wheel 132is rotated in a predetermined drive direction (i.e., the direction ofrotation of the wheel 132 when the spreader is moved in a forward lineardirection) as illustrated by FIG. 9C, the perpendicular rear ends 168 ofthe saw teeth 138 engage the free forward ends of spring tabs 164 andimpart the rotational movement of the wheel 132 to cause the springplate 150 to rotate together with the wheel. However, when the wheel isrotated in a reverse direction, the free forward end of the spring tabs164 move in a direction relative to the saw teeth 138 to slide up theinclined sections 166 thereof, and do not engage the perpendicular endsections 168. Accordingly, the drive plate 128 does not engage thespring plate 150 in this reverse direction of rotation, and therotational movement of the wheel 132 is not imparted to the spring plate150, thereby creating a slip or clutch condition. Therefore, rotationalmovement of the wheel 132 in a forward direction imparts rotationalmotion to the spring plate 150, while rotational movement of the wheel132 in the opposed direction will not impart rotational motion to thespring plate 150.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the spreader 2 shown in FIG. 1,with the product container 6 mounted thereon. FIG. 10 furtherillustrates the spring plate 150 and the wheel 132, as shown in FIGS.9A-9D, assembled in operational position. The same reference numeralshave been used in FIG. 10 to designate corresponding elementsillustrated in FIGS. 9A-9D.

When the spreader is linearly moved along the ground 16 in a forwarddirection, the drive plate 128 rotatable with the wheel 132 engages thedriven plate 148, transferring rotational movement to the driven plateand causing the shaft 144 fixedly mounted to the driven plate to rotateat a speed corresponding to the rotational speed of the wheel. Therotational movement of shaft 144 is transferred, through a drive trainin the transmission system of the spreader, to a vertical drive shaft,designated generally by the reference numeral 170, which is receivedwithin the drive bushing 54 of the meter housing 26 provided at thelower end of the product container 24 removably mounted to the hopper ofthe spreader. (See also FIGS. 1 and 2.) As discussed herein, themetering disk of the metering assembly is rotatable at a speedproportional to the linear speed of the spreader to assure that theproduct dispersed by the spreader is applied to the terrain to betreated at uniform density. The impeller assembly of the spreader isseparately driven by a belt drive coupled to a rotating wheel.Accordingly, when the spreader device is driven in a forward directionand the transmission system coupling the meter assembly to a rotatingwheel is engaged, material is deposited on the spinning impeller bygravity feed from the metering disk, and is dispersed from the impellerby rotational forces applied to the deposited material. However, whenthe spreader is moved in a reverse direction and the clutch systemdescribed herein prevents the rotational movement of the wheel frombeing transmitted to the metering system, no material is is deposited onthe impeller from the metering disk. Accordingly, although the impellercontinues to rotate as a result of its independent coupling to therotating wheel by the drive belt, no material will be deposited on theimpeller, and thus no material will be discharged from the spreader.Additionally, the on/off switch 22 on the handle 20 of the spreaderdevice (See FIG. 1) disengages the meter assembly and prevents materialfrom being discharged from the spreader apparatus, at the selection ofthe user, when the spreader is moved in a forward direction. Therefore,the spreader in accordance with the preferred embodiments of theinvention automatically prevents material from being dispensed therefromwhen it is driven in a reverse direction, but includes means to permitthe user to selectively prevent material from being dispersed therefromwhen it is driven in a forward direction.

FIGS. 11-20 illustrate a further embodiment of a dispersing apparatus,and a product container, in accordance with the present invention.Common elements illustrated by FIGS. 11-20 will be designated by thesame reference numerals used to designate the same elements in FIGS.1-10. Except as otherwise indicated in the following discussion of FIGS.11-20, the metering, drive train, and control systems discussed withrespect to FIGS. 1-10 are applicable to the embodiments of the inventionillustrated by FIGS. 11-20.

The spreader apparatus 2 includes a hopper 4 for removably receiving aproduct container 6. The lower portion of the product container includesa metering assembly, generally designated by reference numeral 170, forcontrolling the flow of material by gravity feed through a bottomdischarge outlet, generally designated by reference numeral 172, of theproduct container 6. A rotatable impeller 10 is disposed beneath thecontainer discharge outlet 172 for receiving and dispersing productdeposited thereon by the metering assembly, in accordance with thegeneral operation of the granular spreader previously described withrespect to FIGS. 1-10. As also discussed with respect to FIGS. 1-10, atleast one of the wheels 14 is coupled by a drive train to the impeller10 for rotating the impeller as the spreader apparatus traverses theterrain to be treated, and a clutch system designated by referencenumeral 174 is provided to enable the operator of the apparatus toselectively disengage the wheels 14 from the drive train.

In accordance with a first improvement of the spreader apparatusillustrated by FIGS. 11-19, a clutch housing 176 enclosing a clutch 174has a beveled outer edge 178 which is oriented in a direction facing theinner surface of the wheel 14. In this manner, noise generated by theclutch as the spreader apparatus travels over the terrain to be treatedis reduced and muffled by reflecting sound waves towards the innersurface of the wheel 14 for promoting quieter operation of theapparatus.

In a further improvement of the spreader apparatus, the drive traincoupling one of the wheels 14 to the impeller 10 includes a drive belt180 with sprocket openings 182 which engage drive pins 184 of a capstan186. The drive belt with openings provides a positive drive force whichis superior to an O-ring belt design.

The broadcast spreader illustrated by FIGS. 11-19 includes an overridingclutch designated by reference numeral 188. The overriding clutch isdisposed in the drive train coupling one of the wheels 14 to therotatable impeller 10. The overriding clutch, which is operativelyassociated with the drive belt 180, permits the impeller 10 to continueto rotate, for a limited period of time, after the wheels 14 stoprotating. In this manner, the impeller continues to rotate even afterthe spreader apparatus has come to a halt for dispersing any residualmaterial remaining on the impeller 10 after the apparatus has ceasedmovement. The removal of residual material assures that the properquantity of material metered from the product container will bedeposited on, and dispersed by, the impeller 10 when movement of thespreader over the terrain to be treated resumes.

In a further improvement of the spreader apparatus illustrated by FIGS.11-19, means are provided by which the a operator can selectively adjustthe rotational speed ratio of the impeller relative to the rotationalspeed of the wheels 14 between two or more predetermined speed ratios.In this manner, the operator can select the rotational speed of theimpeller, which is proportional to the range at which material depositedon the impeller is propelled therefrom. The speed ratio of the impelleris controlled by a switch located proximate to the top of a handle 20 ofthe spreader. The switch, generally designated by reference numeral 190,is formed from a selector plate 192 having a tab 194 extendingtherefrom. The selector plate defines at least two slots 196, each ofwhich correspond to a different one of a plurality of predeterminedrotational speeds of the impeller 10. As illustrated by FIGS. 11 and 13,an on/off selector lever 198 includes a portion 200 received in one ofthe slots 196 of the selector plate 192. As best shown by FIGS. 14 and17-18 of the drawings, a cable 202 is coupled between the on/off lever198 and a pivot 204 of a toggle 206 for controlling the position of alifting fork 208 (See FIG. 16). Accordingly, movement of the on/offlever 198 between a first position in which segment 200 is received inone of the grooves 196 of the selector plate 192, and a second positionin which the on/off lever 198 is manually pivoted by the operator suchthat segment 200 is removed from the groove 196 of the selector plate192, causes the cable 202 to disengage a spring loaded hub drive 210from the drive train coupling the wheels 14 to the rotatable impeller 10for disengaging the drive train. Accordingly, the drive train couplingthe wheels 14 to the impeller 10 will automatically disengage each timethe on/off lever 198 is pivoted out of one of the grooves 196 in theselector plate 192.

When segment 200 of the on/off lever 198 is received within one of thegrooves 196 in the selector plate 192, the segment 200 preventsrotational movement of the selector plate 192. However, when the on/offlever 198 is pivoted out of groove 196, the selector plate 192 can berotated by movement of the tab 194 for aligning segment 200 of theon/off lever 198 with another of the grooves 196 in the selector plate192. The selector plate 192 is coupled by a cable 212 to a hole 214 in acrank 216 which engages a pin 218 in a horizontally movable extensionbar 220 (FIG. 14), horizontal movement of the extension bar 220resulting from actuation of the cable 212 caused by movement of theselector plate 192 enables movement and engagement of a pin drive 222with a hub drive 224 for selectively controlling the ratio of rotationalspeed of the impeller 10 relative to the rotational speed of the wheels14. This in turn controls the rotational speed of the impeller forcontrolling the distance which material is propelled therefrom. Theselective horizontal movement of the pin drive 222 relative to the hubdrive 224 is accomplished by movement of a selector fork 226 of thehorizontal bar 220 through a slot 228 of the pin drive 222.

The crank 216 is coupled to the horizontally sliding bar 220 through aslot 230, as best shown in FIG. 14. The pin drive 222 employs a flutedspline 232 that engages and slides within a mating spline 234 of a drivebushing 236, as illustrated by FIG. 12. As shown by FIG. 14, theselector fork 226 of the horizontal bar 220 slides within a bracket 221mounted to a bridge 223 of the housing of the spreader apparatus.

It is apparent from the above description that the on/off lever 198 isoperatively associated with the selector plate 192 to assure that therotational speed of the impeller cannot be switched from onepredetermined speed to another unless the drive train coupling thewheels 14 to the impeller is disengaged. This occurs because theselector switch 192 can be moved by the tab 194 only when the on/offlever 198 is pivoted out of one of the slots 196. However, by pivotingthe lever 198 out of any slot 196, the drive train coupling the impeller10 to the wheel 14 is disengaged by the cable 212. Rotation of theselector plate 192 into a position in which the lever 198 is alignedwith a different slot 196 causes horizontal movement of the drive pin222 for selectively adjusting the rotational speed ratio of theimpeller. The position of each slot 196 on the selector plate 192corresponds to a different predetermined rotational speed ratio of theimpeller. When the slot 196 corresponding to the predetermined speedratio desired by the operator is aligned with the position of the on/offlever 198, the lever is pivoted so that segment 200 is received in theslot 196. Pivoting the lever 198 into any slot 196 re-engages the drivetrain coupling the wheels 14 to the rotatable impeller 10. Thus, theselector switch 192 for controlling the rotational speed of the impelleroperatively cooperates with the on/off lever 198 so that the rotationalspeed of the impeller can be selectively adjusted by the operator onlywhen the drive train coupling the wheels 14 to the impeller isdisengaged. Although FIGS. 11-19 illustrate two slots 196 on theselector plate 192 corresponding to two different predeterminedrotational speeds of the impeller, it is within the scope of the presentinvention to provide more than two slots 196 corresponding to more thantwo different preselected rotational speeds of the impeller.

In a further improvement of the spreader apparatus illustrated by FIGS.11-19, a generally rectangular plate 238 is carried by the handle 20.The plate includes a plurality of openings or stop positions designatedby reference numeral 240, and a visual indication 242 associated witheach position 240. A lever 244 has a handle 246 to permit the operatorto vertically move the lever along the panel 238 between different stoppositions 240. As will be discussed below, movement of the lever 244into the different stop positions 240 permits the operator toselectively control the orientation at which material will be propelledfrom the impeller 10 relative to the direction in which the spreaderapparatus moves along the terrain to be treated. The visual indicia 242provide the operator with illustrations of the spread pattern for eachof the different stop positions 240. (See FIGS. 11, 13 and 15).

Referring now to FIG. 15, when handle 246 is vertically moved along asupport shaft 248, a pulley 250, which is coupled to the movable handle246 (and the attached lever 244), adjusts the length of a selector cable252. The selector cable 252 is attached to an adjustment screw 254, andthe selector cable is looped around the pulley 250 down to an idlerpulley 256, and then up to a selector cable take-up 258. The selectorcable 252 is then looped around a second idler pulley 260, and up to theselector cable take-up 258. When the handle 246 is moved into differentstop positions 240, the length of the selector cable is adjusted,thereby rotating a selector drum 262 which is operatively associatedwith the selector cable 252. The selector drum 262 is rotated into aposition in which material will be propelled from the impeller 10 of thespreader apparatus in the orientation illustrated by the visual indicia242 corresponding to the position 240 in which the lever 244 isreceived. (As discussed with respect to FIGS. 1-10, the selector plateassociated with the selector drum blocks preselected openings in themetering disk to control the position at which metered product isdeposited on the impeller to control the distribution pattern). When thelever is moved into the lowermost vertical position designated by “OFF”,the selector drum 262 is moved into a position in which the associatedselector plate completely blocks all openings in the meter disk toprevent any material from being deposited by gravity feed on theimpeller 10. Therefore, the lever 244, which is readily accessible tothe operator of the device, permits the operator to selectively controlthe distribution pattern of material propelled from the spreaderapparatus as it moves along the terrain to be treated.

As illustrated by FIGS. 11, 13 and 19, a pair of counter-balancedelements 264 are mounted in the selector drum 262 by axle pivot shafts266. The rotatable counter-balance elements 264 are oriented at a 45°angle when equilibrium is achieved as illustrated by FIG. 19. When theproduct container 6 is mounted to the spreader apparatus, thecounter-balance elements are rotatable in a horizontal plane. Theoperator moves lever 244 from the “OFF” position (the lowermost verticalposition as shown by FIGS. 11 and 13) to the fully opened position (thehighest vertical position as shown by FIGS. 11 and 13) and then backinto the “OFF” position. This causes the selector drum 262 to rotate,and the counter-balance elements 264 pass under a raised rib 268 of theselector plate. The counter-balance elements 264 then rotate about theaxial pivot shafts 266 for locking the counter-balance elements 264between the raised ribs 268 of the selector plate. In this manner, theselector plate is guided into and locked into a proper operatingposition in which vertical movement of the handle 244 between thedifferent stop positions 240 will result in the proper orientation ofthe selector plate relative to the metering assembly for propellingmaterial from the spreader apparatus in the desired orientationcorresponding to the position 240 of the lever 244.

In a further improvement of the spreader apparatus illustrated by FIGS.11-19, hinged flaps, designated by reference numeral 270, are mounted tothe opposed sides of the spreader chassis 272 (See FIGS. 11-14 and 16).The hinged flaps 270 are provided for preventing product from driftinginto undesired areas of terrain when an edge application is required.The hinged flaps are removably held in an upright position by suitablemeans, as for example complementary magnets 274 carried by the hingedflap and magnets 276 mounted to the side of the chassis of the spreaderapparatus. When lowered, the hinged flaps 270 pivot about a hinge 278until magnet 274 carried by the flap is magnetically coupled to magnet280 carried on a support bracket 282 at a lower elevation on the frameof the chassis than magnet 276. The operator may therefore selectivelyadjust the position of the flaps between an upright position and alowered position for controlling the pattern of material dispersed fromthe rotatable impeller as the spreader apparatus moves along the terrainto be treated. When the hinged flaps are in the upright position, theupper portion of the stream of material propelled from the impeller isblocked. Although the releasable locking means used to maintain thehinged flaps in its upper and lower positions are shown as magnets,other suitable locking means can be appropriately employed.

The meter assembly 170 at the lower discharge outlet of the container 6includes a spherically or dome shaped partition element 284 (See FIGS.11-13 and 17-18). This partition is threaded to a portion of a centerstem 286. A slot 288 is defined in the partition element 284. Thefunction of the partition element is to prevent the application of thefull weight of the product in product container 6 onto the meteringassembly 170. The partition element is designed to carry up to 80% ofthe weight of the product in the product container so that only theweight of the product below the partition element 284 is applieddirectly to the meter assembly at any given time. The partition element284, in addition to diffusing the weight of the product in the productcontainer, also serves to dissipate lumps of product into more freelyflowing granular material. The partition element 284 is rotatabletogether with a metering disk 290 to permit product from the productcontainer to flow through the slot 288 to maintain the rate of feed ofproduct through the partition element 284 and onto the metering disk290. As the partition element 284 rotates relative to the product in thecontainer above the partition element, the rotating slot 288 tends tobreak up lumps of material into smaller granular material to be meteredthrough the metering assembly and deposited onto the impeller 10. Thelength of the square on the meter drive shaft 292 is designed to be ofsufficient size to accommodate four (4) tapered spiral flutes 294 on thecenter step 286 for guiding and piloting the square drive meter shaft292 into the square hole 296. In this manner, the meter assembly 170carried at the discharge end of the product container 6 is easilycoupled to the drive train of the spreader apparatus when the productcontainer 6 is removably mounted to the spreader apparatus.

FIGS. 11 and 17-18 illustrate the product container 6 in position whenremovably mounted to the spreader apparatus. FIG. 20b is an elevationalview of the product container removed from the spreader apparatus, andFIG. 20a is a bottom plan view of the container illustrated by FIG. 20b.The container is formed from a molded plastic and is intended to berefillable and reusable for different treatment applications. Thecontainer includes a removable lid 300 at one end and a tapered section302 at the other end which merges into a cylindrical section 304 (SeeFIG. 13). When the container is received in its inverted operatingposition in the hopper as illustrated, for example by FIG. 13, theremovable lid 300 is oriented at the top of the inverted container andaccessible to the operator for refilling the container with productwithout removing the container from the hopper. A rolled lip section306, extending from section 304, supports the metering assembly in thebottom discharge end of the product container (See FIG. 12). A selectordisk flange 308 of a selector disk of the meter assembly, rides theoutside portion of the lip 306 of the product container, while a flange310 of the meter disk is supported by the inside of the rolled lip 306so that the rolled lip 306 is sandwiched between flanges 308 and 310(See FIG. 12). Accordingly, the meter assembly is supported by the lowerportion of the product container 6, but is also prevented from movingupwardly into the product container. The metering disk is removable fromthe product container so that it is replaceable by a different meteringdisk, at the selection of the operator, to accommodate the specificrequirements (e.g., density, size of granules, moisture content) of thespecific product in the container to be metered by the device.

The broadcast spreader described herein is particularly adapted fordispensing agricultural treatment material such as pesticides,herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizer as the apparatus is driven overthe terrain to be treated. However, the spreader apparatus in accordancewith the present invention is useful for applications of other thanagricultural materials, as for example, for spreading salt or otheranti-skid or ice-melting granular materials on frozen or icy surfaces,an aquatic spreader for dispersing materials including pesticides on thesurface of lakes or other bodies of water, and for industrial usesincluding dispersing of pellets or other granular materials to beincorporated into an article of manufacture such as a mat. Furtherapplications of the granular spreader disclosed herein will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art.

Other modifications and advantages of the spreader within the scope ofthe present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, the discussion of the preferred embodiments herein areintended to be illustrative only, and not restrictive of the scope ofthe invention, that scope being defined by the following claims and allequivalents thereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A meter for controlling the flow of material froma container, said meter comprising: a disk having an upper surface and alower surface, and a plurality of channels defined between said upperand lower surfaces of said disk; said plurality of channels beingoriented substantially perpendicular to both said upper and lowersurfaces of said disk; each of said plurality of channels defining apredetermined space corresponding to a predetermined volume of materialto be dispersed from said container; means for rotating said disk;discharge means disposed adjacent to said lower surface of said disk,said discharge means defining at least one opening therein forsequentially blocking and unblocking said plurality of channels in saiddisk as said disk rotates relative to said discharge means; and chargingmeans mounted adjacent to said upper surface of said disk, said chargingmeans defining at least one opening therein, said charging means beingoriented to sequentially block and unblock said plurality of channels insaid disk as said disk rotates relative to said charging means.
 2. Themeter as claimed in claim 1 including means for selectively blocking atleast one of said plurality of channels in said disk for controlling theposition at which said material from said container is deposited bygravity feed on means for dispersing disposed beneath said disk.
 3. Thedevice as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of said channels aredefined in said disk in at least two concentric circular rows.
 4. Themeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said discharge means is fixedlymounted relative to said disk, and said disk is rotatable relative tosaid discharge means.
 5. The meter as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidcharging means is fixedly mounted relative to said disk, and said diskis rotatable relative to said charging means.
 6. A product container fordispersing material in combination with the meter as claimed in claim 1,said combination comprising: a housing, said housing including means forretaining said meter at least partially within said housing.
 7. Thecombination as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for retaining isadapted to retain said meter at least partially within said housing suchthat said housing and said meter are conjointly movable.
 8. Thecombination as claimed in claim 6, wherein said housing defines atapered section, said tapered section comprising said means forretaining said meter in said housing.
 9. The combination as claimed inclaim 8, wherein said tapered section of said housing defines adischarge outlet, said tapered section of said housing being adapted toretain said meter over said discharge outlet.
 10. The combination asclaimed in claim 9, wherein said tapered section of said housing isdefined by a plurality of flaps, said flaps being movable between aretracted position in which said discharge outlet is closed and anextended position in which said discharge outlet is opened.
 11. Thecombination as claimed in claim 10, wherein said meter is received inits entirety in a storage position within said housing when saiddischarge opening is closed, and is displaceable relative to saidhousing over said discharge outlet when said discharge outlet is opened.12. The combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein said housing isadapted to be received in the hopper of a dispersing apparatus andoriented relative thereto such that said meter is engageable with drivemeans associated with said dispersing apparatus when said housing isreceived in said hopper.
 13. The combination as claimed in claim 6,wherein said meter includes a replaceable metering disk.
 14. A containerin combination with said meter as claimed in claim 1, said containerbeing removably mountable to an apparatus for dispersing a product fromthe container, the container comprising said meter for controlling flowof the product from the container; and means for separating at least aportion of the product in the container from the meter for reducing theweight of the product applied directly to said meter.
 15. Thecombination as claimed in claim 14, wherein said means for separatingincludes a partition element disposed in the container and above themeter.
 16. The combination as claimed in claim 15, wherein saidpartition element is rotatable together with the meter.
 17. Thecombination as claimed in claim 16, wherein said partition elementincludes at least one opening therefor for controlling the flow ofmaterial through said partition element.
 18. The combination as claimedin claim 14, wherein said meter includes guide means for engaging adrive shaft of said apparatus to which said container is mounted. 19.The combination as claimed in claim 18, wherein said guide meansincludes a plurality of spiral flutes defined in the meter.
 20. A meterfor controlling the flow of material from a container, said metercomprising: a disk having an upper surface and a lower surface, and aplurality of channels defined between said upper and lower surfaces ofsaid disk; said plurality of channels being oriented substantiallyperpendicular to both said upper and lower surfaces of said disk; eachof said plurality of channels defining a predetermined spacecorresponding to a predetermined volume of material to be dispersed fromsaid container; said plurality of said channels being defined in saiddisk in at least two concentric circular rows, and a substantiallysquare shaped opening in the center of said disk, said square shapedopening adapted to receive a correspondingly configured drive elementfor imparting rotatable movement to said disk.
 21. A device forcontrolling the speed of a rotatable dispersing element of an apparatusfor dispersing material, said device comprising: at least one controlelement movably mounted to said rotatable element, said control elementbeing movable relative to the center of said rotatable element foropposing changes to said rotational speed of said rotatable element formaintaining said rotational speed of said rotatable elementsubstantially constant.
 22. The device as claimed in claim 21 whereinsaid rotatable element includes at least one guide element for receivingsaid control element therein and for guiding said movement of saidcontrol element relative to said center of said rotatable element. 23.The device as claimed in claim 22 including a resilient element coupledto said control element f or limiting movement of said control elementrelative to said center of said rotatable element.